A New Generation of Female Blockchain Builders
For decades, the tech industry has been dominated by men — but in South Africa’s blockchain scene, change is taking root. Thanks to the South African National Blockchain Alliance (SANBA), a new generation of female innovators is stepping forward to redefine what’s possible with decentralized technology.
To mark National Women’s Day, SANBA is offering full sponsorship to two up-and-coming entrepreneurs to attend the European Blockchain Convention, one of the continent’s leading platforms for blockchain innovation. The initiative reflects SANBA’s belief that diversity isn’t just about representation — it’s about building better solutions for real-world problems.
Why Diversity Drives Real-World Impact
Blockchain offers a way to solve issues around transparency, ownership, and data integrity. But who gets to build those solutions? When more voices — especially women’s — are included in shaping technology, the results tend to be more ethical, inclusive, and sustainable.
In a global field where only around 12% of blockchain jobs are held by women, South Africa is striving to raise that number. Two names making waves in the local ecosystem are Tumi Mahlangu and Zanele Dlamini — young entrepreneurs creating blockchain solutions that speak directly to African challenges.
Faces of a Decentralized Future
Tumi Mahlangu: Reinventing Supply Chains Through Smart Contracts
In South Africa and across the continent, informal markets make up a significant part of the economy. Tumi Mahlangu, a former project consultant turned tech founder, saw the opportunity to bring trust and transparency to these systems.
In 2019, she co-founded SheChain Africa, a startup using blockchain to streamline and verify product sourcing, particularly in the personal care sector. With a focus on ethically sourced shea butter, SheChain ensures that every supplier, transporter, and manufacturer is logged and verified through smart contracts.
“We’re not just digitizing supply chains — we’re humanizing them,” says Mahlangu. “Blockchain lets us prove the origin of every product and build real value for African producers.”
With an industry worth billions in informal trade, initiatives like SheChain are essential. SANBA recognizes this and supports the project as a symbol of African-led innovation using blockchain for economic fairness.
Zanele Dlamini: Changing How We Understand Digital Law
Technology evolves fast — but regulation is rarely quick to follow. That’s where Zanele Dlamini comes in. With a background in law and a passion for digital ethics, she launched LexNova Institute in 2020 to prepare legal professionals for the era of smart contracts, DAOs, and AI regulation.
Her work focuses on training legal teams to understand the complexities of decentralized systems, while also creating open resources for policymakers and students. The institute is also one of the first in the region to publish whitepapers on legal frameworks for blockchain use in public services.
“Blockchain forces us to rethink not just the economy, but how law works in a world of decentralized authority,” Dlamini explains.
SANBA supports her work as part of its broader mission to foster legal clarity and encourage responsible blockchain development in South Africa.
Key Stats: Blockchain & Women in South Africa
| Category | Insight |
|---|---|
| Global female representation in blockchain | ~12% |
| Value of African personal care trade | Estimated at billions in informal sector |
| Year SheChain Africa launched | 2019 |
| Focus of LexNova Institute | Legal innovation, digital ethics, public sector tech law |
| SANBA initiative | Sponsoring 2 women to attend European Blockchain Convention |
| Broader SANBA mission | Inclusive blockchain adoption, African-led innovation |
| Tech area supported by SANBA | Supply chains, legal reform, digital public infrastructure |
Government-Backed Innovation with Local Impact
Behind these rising stars is a broader support system. On 3 April 2020, SANBA was officially launched by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) with a clear goal: to catalyze blockchain adoption across public and private sectors. This isn’t just about funding — it’s about national commitment to research, talent, and ethical tech deployment.
With direct seed funding from the DSI, SANBA acts as a bridge between policymakers, universities, businesses, and developers. Its role is not only to support startups but also to embed blockchain into national planning where it can create lasting social and economic value.
Whether it’s digitizing agriculture, managing public records, or regulating AI, SANBA believes blockchain can transform lives — when it’s led by people who understand the challenges on the ground.